Chapter 57: Is It That Way?

Zhan Yu had just returned to the Imperial Capital when he was invited to give a speech at the First Military Academy’s affiliated elementary school. As a graduate of the First Military Academy, he held deep affection for the institution. The affiliated elementary school could even be considered his alma mater. Furthermore, Principal Zheng Zhi was like an uncle to him, a senior figure with a close relationship to his father.

Though the speech was officially to serve as an example for the students, its true purpose was to publicize his return to the capital and pave the way for his upcoming transfer. After discussing with his grandfather, he planned to visit the school and consult with Zheng Zhi.

But just as he stepped out of the car and approached the entrance, he heard a soft, sweet voice. Instinctively, he thought of the plump little girl from the Wanqi family. Raising his eyes, he saw the little girl in a beautiful princess dress—who could it be but Wanqi Xuanxuan?

She was carrying a little backpack, coming to elementary school? He could have sworn she was only six years old. Wasn’t the youngest age for first grade now nine? With people living longer these days, childhood had lengthened, and nine was already considered young for starting elementary school.

Xuanxuan, seeing Zhan Yu looking her way, called out again, “Yao.” Her voice was crisp and clear, pronouncing his courtesy name distinctly.

Zhan Yu felt a little helpless. How had this girl learned his courtesy name? He stepped forward and crouched down before her. “Xuanxuan?”

She nodded. “Mm.”

“What are you doing here?” he asked, squatting down a bit to be at her level.

After all, she was the little princess of the Wanqi family, and since she’d called out to him, it would be rude not to respond. Besides, she was quite endearing, though a bit on the chubby side.

Xuanxuan pouted and pointed toward the entrance.

Amused, Zhan Yu patted her head. “You’re only six and already at elementary school? Isn’t it over there?” He gestured at the nearby kindergarten. Despite her chubbiness, she bore the strikingly attractive features of the Wanqi family bloodline. Her cheeks were rosy, clearly well-nourished and healthy, her complexion glowing. Most captivating of all were her big, black, grape-like eyes, so bright and moist that it was impossible to refuse her anything.

Zhan Yu picked her up, noticing that her pout deepened at the mention of kindergarten. She clung to him, having grown quite familiar with him in the StarNet, and showed no sign of shyness, even if she looked a bit like a dumpling right now.

Zhan Yu glanced around, wary of the Wanqi family. Her father and his brothers treated him like a potential thief, while her grandmother was almost too enthusiastic for him to handle.

“Where’s your father?” he asked, tapping her on the head.

Xuanxuan shook her head, widening her eyes with feigned innocence. She didn’t want to go back to kindergarten. Besides, her father would know she was with Zhan Yu and wouldn’t worry.

Zhan Yu felt a bit exasperated—he really didn’t dare cross this little miss. He looked around but saw no sign of Wanqi Lianhao.

Just then, the teacher who had been accompanying Xuanxuan walked over.

“Young Master Zhan.”

Xuanxuan, nestled in Zhan Yu’s arms with both arms around his neck, glanced around and spotted a golden-haired, handsome boy inside the gate looking at her. The boy turned away angrily and left.

Xuanxuan was puzzled—how had she offended him? He’d called her “little fatty,” but she hadn’t even gotten mad.

Unbeknownst to Xuanxuan, Aizhe had indeed been angry at first, but upon thinking about the soft little dumpling, he felt bad for leaving her alone outside. He had meant to go back and bring her inside, but wanted her to call him before he returned. However, when he turned around, he saw Xuanxuan already being held by a strange man. Fuming, Aizhe left in a huff—he’d been about to fetch her, but she was already in some other man’s arms, and that man was obviously not from the Wanqi family.

As Aizhe stormed off, Xuanxuan still didn’t understand what had made him angry. She watched as Zhan Yu conversed with a subordinate of Wanqi Lianhao.

“And you are?” Zhan Yu asked the man in front of him.

“Greetings, Young Master Zhan. I am Baluo of the Wanqi family.”

Xuanxuan arched her brows. Baluo? That sounded familiar. Hadn’t her father mentioned assigning Baluo to her side? Was it this person?

Zhan Yu’s arms tightened slightly as he recalled the incident where Xuanxuan’s clothes had been torn. He glanced around again, relieved not to see the third young master of the Wanqi family, and then nodded to Baluo. “Hello.”

Baluo paused, noticing that his young lady had been in Zhan Yu’s arms for quite some time with no intention of coming down. What was going on? Though puzzled, he composed himself and said, “This is our young lady, Wanqi Xuanxuan.”

Zhan Yu raised his brows—he knew that already; otherwise, why would he be paying attention to this little plump girl?

Baluo wanted to suggest that their young lady be put down, but the young master of the Zhan family seemed oblivious. Clearing his throat, Baluo said, “Miss Xuanxuan studies at the kindergarten next door. Class is about to start.”

“Oh,” Zhan Yu replied, patting Xuanxuan’s back, signaling for her to get down. Instead, she clung even tighter to his neck—she had no desire to go to kindergarten.

Zhan Yu was taken aback. Since when had this plump little girl become so attached to him? Was he really so likable? He bounced her in his arms—she had grown noticeably heavier in the short time since they last met.

Baluo was conflicted. Wasn’t the young lady supposed to be somewhat withdrawn? How could she be so willing to cling to the young master of the Zhan family?

Catching Baluo’s look, Zhan Yu supported Xuanxuan’s bottom, hinting for her to get down. Xuanxuan glared fiercely at him—why did she feel like Zhan Yu was a “child lover” in real life?

“Ahem.” Zhan Yu averted his gaze from her.

Baluo was even more flustered. What was wrong with the young miss? He crouched down, trying to get Xuanxuan to let go and stand on her own, but she refused to release her grip on Zhan Yu.

Zhan Yu shrugged helplessly. “Where is the third young master of Wanqi?”

“I’ll contact him right away,” Baluo said, relieved.

Zhan Yu nodded. Though he wasn’t keen to see the little chubby girl’s father, he needed to meet with Zheng Zhi, and he couldn’t leave while she clung to him.

Xuanxuan shuddered—her father was coming? She glanced at Zhan Yu, wondering why her father seemed to dislike her being around him so much.

Baluo quickly contacted his master. “Sir.”

“What’s wrong with Xuanxuan?” Wanqi Lianhao’s frown was audible on the other end of the line.

Baluo glanced at his young lady, still wrapped around the Zhan family’s young master, and answered gingerly, “Miss Xuanxuan is with Young Master Zhan Yu.”

He phrased it as delicately as possible, too embarrassed to say outright that his young lady was clinging to the other’s neck and refusing to let go.

Wanqi Lianhao’s eyes darkened at the mention of Zhan Yu’s name. He took a moment to compose himself before saying, “Hand the call to Young Master Zhan.”

“Yes, sir.” Baluo swiftly switched the call over to Zhan Yu.

At once, Wanqi Lianhao’s barely restrained expression hardened into ice, his previously relaxed brow furrowing in a tight knot.